Device for Changing Orientation of Tape of Tape Transfer Device

ABSTRACT

A tape transfer device includes a device for changing the orientation of a tape. The device includes a frame including a first end retained in a case of the tape transfer device, and a second end exposed outside the case and connected with an application head. The frame includes a first surface and a second surface wound by the tape. The device also includes a first guiding member and a second guiding member disposed on the first end of the frame and on the first surface and second surface, respectively. The first guiding member changes the tape from a first orientation to a second orientation. The second guiding member changes the tape from the second orientation to the first orientation. Further, the first and second guiding members prevent the tape from deviating away from a predetermined path defined on the application head

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for changing the orientationof a tape of a tape transfer device and, in particular, to a device thatcontrols the moving direction of the tape on an application head.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. Pat. No. 7,228,882 entitled “TAPE DISPENSER WITH A CUSHIONEDAPPLICATOR TIP” shows a tape dispenser including an applicator tip 28retained between two housings 47 and 49. The applicator tip 28 includesan end having two pivot shafts 90 extended from two lateral sidesrespectively. The housing 49 includes an open end and two forks 92 inproximity to the open end. Each fork 92 includes an arcuate recess, andthe pivot shafts 90 of the applicator tip 28 are disposed in the arcuaterecesses of the supporting members of the housing 49 in order to retainthe applicator tip 28. A tape post 38 is utilized to direct a tape 32from a supply spool 32 to the applicator tip 28 and twist the tape 32 tochange its orientation and direct the tape 32 to a return spool 26.

The design of the tape post 38 suffers a problem that the tape 32 couldstick with the lateral sides of the applicator tip 28, and the tape 32on a tip 30 of the applicator tip 28 is unlikely to be maintainedcentrally and is likely to deviate undesirably. Further, the tape 32 canslide on the tape post 38, but the tape post 38 can not prevent the tape32 from become entangled, and particularly, if the tape 32 is anadhesive tape. Thus, it is desirable to overcome these problems.

The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at leastalleviate the problems encountered in the prior art by providing adevice for controlling the orientation of a tape of a tape transferdevice. The device is durable and facilitates user to use the tapetransfer device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a tape transfer device includes adevice for changing the orientation of a tape includes a frame, a firstguiding member and a second guiding member. The first guiding memberchanges the tape from a first orientation to a second orientation. Thesecond guiding member changes the tape from the second orientation tothe first orientation. Further, the first and second guiding membersprevent the tape from deviating away from a predetermined path definedon an application head of the tape transfer device.

It is an object of the present invention that the first guiding memberdirects and causes the change in orientation of the tape and the secondguiding member guides and causes the tape to return to its originalorientation. Furthermore, the first and second guiding members preventthe tape from deviating away from the predetermined path defined on theapplication head.

It is another object of the present invention that the first guidingmember includes a first guiding section which is offset from the frameat an angle, and the first guiding section is adapted to twist the tapeand enable the tape to move smoothly to the application head.

It is another object of the present invention that the frame defines animaginary axis and the second guiding member is away from the axis at adistance, and the distance is modified in a manner that the tape isprevented from deviating away from the predetermined path defined on theapplication head.

It is a further object of the present invention that the first andsecond guiding members are spaced from the application head at adistance, and the tape has a width. The ratio of the distance to thewidth is an appropriate value so that the tape is twisted to asubstantially flat surface at the application head.

Other objects, advantages, and new features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanied drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape transfer device in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the tape transfer deviceshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device for changing the orientation ofa tape in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a reel device in accordance with thepresent invention, with the reel device incorporated with the device forchanging the orientation of the tape.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the best embodiments will be illustrated and described withreference to the drawings hereafter, numerous modifications come to mindwithout significantly departing from the spirit of invention, and thescope of invention is not limited by the specific embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective and an exploded perspective view of atape transfer device. The tape transfer device includes a case 1 housinga reel device 2 and a device 3 for changing the orientation of a tape.The device 3 is retained in the case 1. A tape “S” is directed from asupply spool of the reel device 2 to the device 3 and to a return spoolof the reel device 2 thereafter. The device 3 is adapted to twist thetape “S” through 90 degrees as it is unwound from the supply spool, andthe tape transfer device applies the tape “S” to a surface to be coveredin a way known as a “side-application”. The tape “S” could be a tapethat is known as a correction tape or a tape that can deliver a filmthat has an adhesive effect.

FIGS. 3 through 5 show that the device 3 including a frame 10, a firstguiding member 20, and a second guiding member 30. The frame 10 includesa first end 101 retained in the case 1 of the tape transfer device and asecond end 102 connected with an application head 40, which pressesagainst and moves over the surface to transfer the masking material ofthe correction tape and/or the adhesive film on the surface. The frame10 includes a substantially flat first surface 11 and a substantiallyflat second surface 12 opposite to the first surface 11. The tape “S” iswound on the first and second surfaces 11 and 12. Additionally, thefirst surface 11 includes a protrusion 111 extending in an axialdirection of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 includes aprotrusion 121 extending in an axial direction of the second surface 12,respectively. The protrusion 111 contacts with the tape “S” and causes areduced contact area between the tape “S” and the first surface 111.Likewise, the protrusion 121 contacts with the tape “S” and causes areduced contact area between the tape “S” and the second surface 12.Therefore, the tape “S” is prevented from sticking to the first andsecond surfaces 11 and 12 and its delivery is not impeded.

The first end 101 of the frame 10 includes a first lateral wall 13 and asecond lateral wall 14 opposite to each other. The first and secondlateral walls 13 and 14 extend transversely to the first and secondsurfaces 11 and 12. The first and second lateral walls 13 and 14 areretained in the case 1 in order to prevent displacement of the device 3.

The device 3 defines an imaginary axis “H” which extends in an axialdirection of the frame 10. The frame 10 has a shape that is almostsymmetrical about the axis “H”.

The first guiding member 20 is formed on the first surface 11 and is inproximity to the first lateral wall 13. Additionally, the first guidingmember 20 extends opposite to the second surface 12 and is disposed onan extremity of the first end 101 of the frame 10. The first guidingmember 20 directs and causes the change in orientation of the tape “S”from the supply spool to the first surface 11 of the frame 10. Likewise,the first guiding member 20 includes a first guiding section 21contacting with the tape “S”, and the first guiding section 21 includesa guiding edge 213 facilitating the tape “S” to move over the firstguiding section 21 smoothly. The first guiding section 21 also includesa first terminal edge 211 connected with the first surface 11 of theframe 10 and a second terminal edge 212 disposed in proximity to thefirst lateral wall 13, and the lateral wall 13 prevents the tape “S”coming off the first guiding section 21 from the second terminal edge212. The first guiding section 21 is offset from the first surface 11 atan angle “α”, and the angle “α” has a range from 90° to 150° in order tofacilitate the first guiding section 21 to twist the tape “S” and enablethe tape “S” to move smoothly. In this embodiment, the first guidingsection is offset from the first surface 11 at 140°.

The second guiding member 30 is formed on the second surface 12 and isin proximity to the first lateral wall 13. Additionally, the secondguiding member 30 extends opposite to the first surface 11 and isdisposed on the extremity of the first end 101 of the frame 10. Thesecond guiding member 30 directs and causes the tape “S” to return toits original orientation so as to go back to the reel device 2. Thesecond guiding member 30 includes a second guiding section 31 contactingwith the tape “S”, and the second guiding section 31 includes a guidingedge 313 facilitating the tape “S” to move over the second guidingsection 31 smoothly. The second guiding section 31 is offset from thesecond surface 12 at an angle “β”, and the angle “β” is near or equal to90°. Thus, the second guiding section 31 is substantially perpendicularto the second surface 12. The second guiding member 30 directs andcauses the tape “S” to return to the orientation of the reel device 2 soas to collect the used tape “S” conveniently. Furthermore, the secondguiding member 30 extends from a side of the first lateral wall 13toward the second lateral wall 14 and terminates before the axis “H”,and the second guiding section 31 is away from the axis “H” at adistance “C”. The distance “C” has a range from 0 to 1 cm. In apreferred embodiment, the distance of “C” is 0 cm. It is understood thatif the distance of “C” is greater than 1 cm, the tape “S” would deviateaway from a predetermined path defined on where the tape “S” is twisted,and impedes the application head 40 to transfer the masking material ofthe correction tape and/or the adhesive film on the surface. Further, itis understood that the range of “C” varies with a size of the tapetransfer device correspondingly. Therefore, the present invention is notlimited to the said range of “C”.

FIGS. 6 through 9 are schematic diagrams of the reel device 2 and thedevice 3 for changing the orientation of the tape “S”. The tape “S” isdirected from the reel device 2 to the first surface 11 by the firstguiding member 20. The angle “α” enables the first guiding section 21 ofthe first guiding member 20 to change the orientation of the tape “S”and prevents the tape “S” from deviating away from a predetermined pathdefined on the application head 40 and interfering with the frame 10 inorder to move the tape “S” smoothly. The tape “S” is then directed fromthe first surface 11 to the application head 40 and to the secondsurface 12. The tape “S” is directed from the second surface 12 to thereel device 2 by the second guiding member 30 thereafter. As mentioned,the second guiding member 30 extends from the side of the first lateralwall 13 toward the second lateral wall 14 and terminates before the axis“H” in order to maintain the tape “S” in a central path defined on theapplication head 40 and prevent the tape “S” from deviating away fromthe path. The first and second guiding members 20 and 30 are spaced fromthe application head 40 at a distance “D1”. The tape “S” has a width of“D2”. The ratio of “D1” to “D2” is not less than 3 so that the tape “S”is twisted to a substantially flat surface at the application head 40.

The tape “S” has a transfer film i.e. the masking material or theadhesive film, and the application head 40 is adapted to transfer thetransfer film to a surface. Before the tape “S” is directed from thereel device 2 to the application head 40, the tape “S” includes thetransfer film formed thereon. The transfer film is transferred to thesurface by the application head 40, so after the tape “S” passes theapplication head 40, the tape “S” is left, but without transfer filmretained thereon and the tape “S” is directed to the reel device 2.

In view of the present invention, the device 3 for changing theorientation of the tape “S” of the present invention includes the frame10, the first guiding member 20, and the second guiding member 30. Theframe 10 includes the first end 101 retained in the case 1 of the tapetransfer device and the second end 102 exposed outside the case 1 andconnected with the application head 40. The frame 10 includes the firstand second surfaces 11 and 12, and the tape “S” is wound on the firstand second surfaces 11 and 12. The first and second guiding members 20and 30 are disposed on the first end 101 of the frame 10, and the firstguiding member 20 is disposed on the first surface 11 and the secondguiding member 30 is disposed on the second surface 12, respectively.The first guiding member 20 directs and causes the change in orientationof the tape “S”, and the second guiding member 30 directs and causes thetape “S” to return to its original orientation. Furthermore, the firstand second guiding members 20 and 30 prevent the tape “S” from deviatingaway from the predetermined path defined on the application head 40.

In view of forgoing, the first and second guiding members 20 and 30control the moving direction of the tape “S” on the application head 40of the tape transfer device and prevent the tape “S” from deviating awayfrom the predetermined path defined on the application head 40 in ordernot to impede the application head 40 to transfer the transfer film onthe surface.

Furthermore, the first guiding section 21 of the first guiding member 20is offset from the first surface 11 at an angle “α”, and the angle “α”has a range from 90° to 150° in order to facilitate the first guidingsection 21 to twist the tape “S” and enable the tape “S” to movesmoothly to the application head 40.

Furthermore, the second guiding member 30 is away from the axis “H” at adistance “C”, and the distance “C” has a range from 0 to 1 cm in orderto prevent the tape “S” from deviating away from the predetermined pathdefined on the application head 40.

Moreover, the first and second guiding members 20 and 30 are spaced fromthe application head 40 at the distance “D1”. The tape “S” has the widthof “D2”. The ratio of “D1” to “D2” is not less than 3 so that the tape“S” adheres better to the shape of application head 40.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of invention, and the scope of invention is only limited bythe scope of the accompanying claims.

1. A device for changing the orientation of a tape of a tape transferdevice comprising: a frame including a first end and a second end, withthe first end retained in a case of the tape transfer device, with thesecond end exposed outside the case, a first surface and a secondsurface, and with the tape wound on the first and second surfaces of theframe; a first guiding member disposed on the first end of the frame andon the first surface and including a first guiding section contactingwith the tape, with the first guiding section causing changes inorientation of the tape; and a second guiding member disposed on thefirst end of the frame and on the second surface and including a secondguiding section contacting with the tape, with the second guidingsection causing the tape to return to its original orientation.
 2. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first guiding section is offsetfrom the first surface of the frame at an angle.
 3. The device asclaimed in claim 2 wherein the first guiding section includes a firstterminal edge and a second terminal edge, with the first terminal edgeconnected with the first surface of the frame, and with the secondterminal edge disposed in proximity to a lateral side of the frame. 4.The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the angle has a range from 90°to 150°.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second guidingsection is offset from the second surface at an angle, and wherein theangle is substantially 90°.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 2 whereinthe second guiding section is offset from the second surface at anangle, and wherein the angle is substantially 90°.
 7. The device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the frame defines an imaginary axis whichextends in an axial direction of the frame, and wherein the secondguiding member extends from a lateral side of the frame, with the secondguiding section not extending past the axis, and with the second guidingsection being away from the axis at a distance.
 8. The device as claimedin claim 7 wherein the distance has a range from 0 to 1 cm.
 9. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second end of the frame isconnected with an application head, wherein the first and second guidingmembers prevent the tape from deviating away from a predetermined pathdefined on the application head, wherein the first and second guidingmembers are spaced from the application head at a distance, and whereinthe tape has a width, and with the ratio of the distance to the widthbeing not less than
 3. 10. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein thesecond end of the frame is connected with an application head, whereinthe first and second guiding members prevent the tape from deviatingaway from a predetermined path defined on the application head, whereinthe first and second guiding members are spaced from the applicationhead at a distance, and wherein the tape has a width, and with the ratioof the distance over the width being not less than
 3. 11. The device asclaimed in claim 3 wherein the second end of the frame is connected withan application head, wherein the first and second guiding membersprevent the tape from deviating away from a predetermined path definedon the application head, wherein the first and second guiding membersare spaced from the application head at a distance, and wherein the tapehas a width, and with the ratio of the distance over the width being notless than
 3. 12. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the second endof the frame is connected with an application head, wherein the firstand second guiding members prevent the tape from deviating away from apredetermined path defined on the application head, wherein the firstand second guiding members are spaced from the application head at adistance, and wherein the tape has a width, and with the ratio of thedistance over the width being not less than
 3. 13. The device as claimedin claim 5 wherein the second end of the frame is connected with anapplication head, wherein the first and second guiding members preventthe tape from deviating away from a predetermined path defined on theapplication head, wherein the first and second guiding members arespaced from the application head at a distance, and wherein the tape hasa width, and with the ratio of the distance over the width being notless than
 3. 14. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the second endof the frame is connected with an application head, wherein the firstand second guiding members prevent the tape from deviating away from apredetermined path defined on the application head, wherein the firstand second guiding members are spaced from the application head at adistance, and wherein the tape has a width, and with the ratio of thedistance over the width being not less than
 3. 15. The device as claimedin claim 1 wherein the first end of the frame includes a first lateralwall and a second lateral wall opposite to each other, with the firstand second lateral walls extending transversely to the first and secondsurfaces respectively, and wherein the first and second guiding membersare disposed in proximity to the first lateral wall.
 16. The device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the first surface includes a protrusionextending in an axial direction of the first surface, and the secondsurface includes a protrusion extending in an axial direction of thesecond surface, respectively.
 17. The device as claimed in claim 1wherein the first guiding section includes a first guiding edgefacilitating the tape to move over the first guiding section smoothly,and the second guiding section includes a second guiding edgefacilitating the tape to move over the second guiding section smoothly,respectively.
 18. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tape hasa transfer film which is a masking material of a correction tape. 19.The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tape has a transfer filmwhich is a film with an adhesive effect.
 20. The device as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the tape has a transfer film, and wherein theapplication head is adapted to transfer the transfer film to a surface.